Cranbrook has local representation in the North American Indigenous Games in Nova Scotia this year.
Fifteen-year-old Caelen Cross will compete at the tournament with the 16U provincial male lacrosse team. The event brings Canadian and American athletes together for a week of competition starting on July 15.
“I’m a little bit nervous, but mostly just excited and trying to go for that gold medal,” said Cross.
The team is made up of players from across B.C, including Kamloops, Langley, Surrey, Port Coquitlam and Maple Ridge and they will compete against teams from other provinces and states. The 19U female and male lacrosse teams will also be participating.
The event is not limited to one sport. Archery, basketball, canoeing, badminton and rifle shooting are just a few of many scheduled activities.
Head coach Ryan Williams and assistant coach Jake Elliott are working with the 16U boys to bring them up to speed.
“I think we have a pretty big variety of skill, from high-end guys to guys that are still developing,” said Elliott. “…We’ll have some games that we win and we’ll have some games that we lose and hopefully we’ll make the playoff round and do a little damage when we get there.”
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Cross has been playing lacrosse since he was a child. He was introduced to the sport through friends on his hockey team and has found it helps connect him to his Métis heritage.
“I just wanted to try something new. All my friends were playing it and I kind of fell in love with this game from there,” he explained.
His family helped him submit an application for the indigenous games and he managed to make the cut. This will be his first time competing in an indigenous sports tournament for lacrosse and his first time visiting Nova Scotia.
“I think the event’s going to be a lot bigger, but I’m going to have to treat it like any other game and keep my mind focused on the game.”
Coach Elliott has played lacrosse for 44 years and he is the host of Lacrosse Classified, which delivers news on the National Lacrosse League.
“Being non-indigenous, I’m looking forward to the experience and learning and educating myself. It’s going to be a real eye-opening experience for me, one I’m really looking forward to on a personal level,” he said.
“I’m trying to help them have an experience that will last them a lifetime. For a lot of them, it’s probably a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go across the country and experience different cultures and tradition …. At the end of the day it’s not so much about the results and winning the medal. That would be great, but I want the boys to have the most positive experience that they can.”
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gillian.francis@cranbrooktownsman.com
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